The National tribune., 1887-03-03
THE RESULT.

tives 10 pass the Dependent Pension Bill
over the Presidents veto resulted in failure.
There were 175 votes in favor to l25 against.
As two-thirds of all present were necessary,
the attempt failed for want Of IS votes Had
all those who voted for the bill in the first
place adhered TO their votes the bill would |
have been repassed 10y comfortable ma
jority. The failure was due TO % who |
changed.
In view of all the facts this result is not |
to be wondered at The elections last Fall |
were unusually disastrous among Congress |
men seeking reelection. A larger number |
than customary among these were stranded
either in convention or ut the ballot-box
According 10 custom those who belong TO
the party in power look TO the President TO
/ provide them something soothing and sus-
tanning in lieu of that which their cruel and
unappreciative constituents deprived them
Of
II was TO be expected that, in order TO
make their calling and election sure they
should show great zeal in his service, and
this Will account for the change of heart
they experienced after he vetoed a bill for
which they had voted. Ofthe % who changed
their votes, Is were defeated in last Falls
elections, and the most, if not all of them,
are more or less openly candidates for posi-
tions that be has in his gift. II would have
been expecting too much, perhaps, of weak,
frail human nature, 10 expect them TO vote
away what they regarded rs their chance of
getting their bread and butter at public
expense, merely to rescue a few thousand
soldiers from the poorhouse. The average
politician always puts himself in line for
favor with the power that has patronage TO
dispense, by conspicuous support through
which claim for reward may be established.
The Endorsement Of the veto was regarded
, by this class as an opportunity no time
server was likely 10 neglect trusting TO the
future for results.
e These things should be kept in mind in
giving proper credit to such ex-Union sol
: diers and Democrats as Wolford, of Ken
lucky; LeFevre, of Ohio; Kleimer, of In
, diana; Lowering, of Massachusetts,; Ed
redge, of Michigan, and Hall, Of Missouri,
who, though in the category Of non-returned
: Members of the 49th Congress, placed their
. duty TO their comrades before any consider
alton of favors from the White House, and
manfully voted to pass the bill over the
veto.
There is no one to blame for the result
but our opponents, and those who deserted
to them. The friends of the bill made a
splendid fight for it, and did all they could.
Everybody performed his whole duty. The
D GAR. National Pension Committee began
= the campaign well, and inaugurated the
d work with great practical wisdom. The is
sue shows that they asked for all that there
was the least chance of getting, and they
gained from Congress more than the Presi'
. dent was willing that the soldiers Of the
country should have This is sufficient ties,
!; timonial to the wisdom Of their course.
N The Departments and nine-tenths Of the
Posts gave them a loyal and enthusiastic
support. 1t was magnificent the way they
'e rallied on the colors at the word from Com
ID mander-in- Chief Fairchild Nothing could
At be better Thousands of Posts sent in ear
l., nest Endorsements of the bill, and but fou
he in all the immense number opposed it, i
e, was the most unanimous thing in the his
tory of the GAR.
s. The management of the bill before tn
o House was equally creditable. The unani
I'd nous report of the Committee on Invali
er Pensions in favor of passing the bill owe
be the veto was admirable, and greatly enhance
.ir the chances Of success. Next was TIE man
al ner in which the friends of the bill wer
brought out and arrayed. or the whol
number counted upon but two were absen
" and their absence was unavoidable. II wa
no small achievement TO array 175 votes
favor Of the bin against the potent infuenc'
- that were brought into opposition from IL
- great money centers Of the East. The hoI
ors Of the debate were all on the side of IL
49, bill. Adler arguments were never deliyer'
in the House than were made by Col. Matso
I'VE Maj. Morrill,, and the gentlemen they s
CT lected TO assist them.
'N' We have, therefore, every reason TO
''O' proud Of the fight we have made. We we
'"' beaten, il is true, but we did eyerythiI
YIN possible TO command success, and only fail
because the President went back upon
utteranccs in his message, and grossly pc
: rertod his veto prerogatiye TO defeat {
80 expressed win Of the people.
There is no reason whatever for discoursl
ment. Rather there is every reason TO
nal encouraged We have shown unanimi
has and a strength that we ourselves hardly c
and pected. and which has astonished our